FBI Arrests Man in Connection to Pipe Bombs

originally posted by: TheRedneck
a reply to: Phage

Yes it can, at least approximately. That wire was larger than 20 gauge. In order to create a heat strip, it would need to approach 36 gauge or smaller.

Just because you can't judge wire size, it does not follow that experts cannot.

TheRedneck

You two are arguing if they would work. Bottom line is it doesn't matter the intent to cause fear is there. And if they work is not a requirement for being arrested for mailing one.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

Sounds like possibly tannerite?

NO.

Tannerite is a binary explosive than can only be detonated by firing a high velocity projectile at it.

a reply to: Phage

I'm proposing that the images released to the public may not be telling the whole story. A good idea, I would think.

While that is a fair proposal, the type of modifications I am talking about could not be covered up by photographic angles... they would be readily apparent at any angle, because the clock module would be almost unrecognizable. The amount of heat necessary to surgically desolder and solder to connections that small would be like using a flamethrower to light a cigarette, and there would be substantial damage to the board cosmetically, as well as the new components protruding from it. The only way anyone could hide that kind of damage would be to replace the clock module and re-tape it in place.

I use a special 12-watt 10-micron tip iron on surface mount components much larger than those used in that type of module, and still leave burnt areas and detached pads. This guy was living in his van... I doubt he would be using anything smaller than a 25-watt with a standard tip.

What you're proposing is physically impossible.

TheRedneck

a reply to: dragonridr

You to are arguing if they would work. Bottom line is it doesn't matter the intent to cause fear is there. And if they work is not a requirement for being arrested for mailing one.

Oh, I agree! The FBI has said there were explosive materials inside, and we have no evidence to suggest otherwise. He should be prosecuted just as if it was a real bomb.

My point goes to the motive. WHY would anyone send a fake bomb, knowing the penalty is the same as for a real one?

TheRedneck

originally posted by: Cassi3l
Any how, despite it all being a prank

Whether or not the bombs were good or just junk plans he got from the Internet, it wasn't something "done for fun."

It's not a joke.

He's serious.

And the possibility exists that the bombs could have gone off and killed postal workers who weren't his target.

So let's not call it a joke. Let's agree that he's a complete fruitcake and doesn't represent anyone, no matter what his views are -- but let's not put this in the same category as "toilet papering someone's house."

originally posted by: neo96
a reply to: CriticalStinker

Sounds like possibly tannerite?

NO.

Tannerite is a binary explosive than can only be detonated by firing a high velocity projectile at it.

Hmmmm, it's almost like I said that too.

They said could be explosive.

No one said this guy was smart.

You can buy it at a store though.

a reply to: TheRedneck

The FBI has said there were explosive materials inside, and we have no evidence to suggest otherwise.

We have evidence the FBI lied to wiretap Trump.

I take anything they've said with a grain of salt.

Especially when they won't even tell us what was in the them.

WHY would anyone send a fake bomb, knowing the penalty is the same as for a real one?

Maybe he really didn't want anyone killed. People have used unloaded guns for robberies.

We don't know if he thought the bombs would actually work.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

No.

Tannerite doesn't do snip by itself.

No toy clock is going to cut it.

a reply to: Byrd

Let's agree that he's a complete fruitcake and doesn't represent anyone, no matter what his views are -- but let's not put this in the same category as "toilet papering someone's house."

I completely agree. The 'bombs' were little more than joke props, but the intent was anything but a joke. This guy wanted to hurt people and deserves, if guilty, the full weight of the law.

Otherwise, he might accidentally get something right next time.

TheRedneck

originally posted by: neo96
a reply to: CriticalStinker

Sounds like possibly tannerite?

NO.

Tannerite is a binary explosive than can only be detonated by firing a high velocity projectile at it.

We need more of you, for our childrens sake, we need more terror, more guns, more hate, more fear, more paranoia, so, please don't stop spreading your 'theories'. make america strange again!

a reply to: neo96

Based on the fact that the ends appeared to be fireworks mortars, I have no problem believing he actually thought they would work and had them filled with something akin to gunpowder.

Had the battery been strong enough, AND the clock alarm powerful enough, AND the wire thin enough, a PVC pipe filled with gunpowder will explode... not like an iron pipe, but it will do some damage. I can actually imagine someone with zero knowledge of electronics or explosives putting this thing together from several different Internet plans and just getting all of the details wrong. There are people that clueless.

I had a friend (a welder) bring me a CC TV set one time that he had tried to 'fix.' The CRT gun board (the little board on the back of the CRT itself) had a transistor burn out and burnt a small hole in the board. His 'fix' was to use a solder gun and acid-core solder to fill in the hole!

TheRedneck

a reply to: TheRedneck
This is more what I'm getting at:

Each of the 13 IEDs was largely similar in design and construction; they each consisted of approximately six
inches of PVC pipe, a small clock, a battery, wiring, and energetic material.

www.documentcloud.org...

Somewhat ambiguous, this can read to say that in addition to the clock, a battery was also part of the assembly. A 9v battery perhaps?

Perhaps omitted from the images. Perhaps not. I have never doubted the possibility that the devices could have been intentional dummies, or otherwise ineffective. I have doubted the ability for anyone (experts included) to come to any conclusions about them based solely on the images that have been released, and will continue to do so.

Perhaps we will get more details about the devices, but I doubt it. For good reason.

a reply to: TheRedneck

But would someone make 10 or 12 of them without testing one first?

a reply to: oloufo

Science is not terror, nor is it paranoia.

TheRedneck

originally posted by: TheRedneck
a reply to: dragonridr

You to are arguing if they would work. Bottom line is it doesn't matter the intent to cause fear is there. And if they work is not a requirement for being arrested for mailing one.

Oh, I agree! The FBI has said there were explosive materials inside, and we have no evidence to suggest otherwise. He should be prosecuted just as if it was a real bomb.

My point goes to the motive. WHY would anyone send a fake bomb, knowing the penalty is the same as for a real one?

TheRedneck

I think the answer to that is simple hes not very smart. If he were he would quickly realized he could buy an electric lighter at the store and used that and saved a lot of time. In fact everything he would need could be found in a convenience store. And the explosive either use black powder or make your own.

When i was a kid we did alot of experiments with fireworks. Back than had real fireworks like the m80s. Two would blow up maul boxes completely not that i ever did that.

originally posted by: neo96
a reply to: TheRedneck

The FBI has said there were explosive materials inside, and we have no evidence to suggest otherwise.

We have evidence the FBI lied to wiretap Trump.

I take anything they've said with a grain of salt.

Especially when they won't even tell us what was in the them.

Here is where I am too.

How can I trust the cabal of liars?

a reply to: TheRedneck

So, you are a scientist?

a reply to: Phage

A 9v battery would show as a giant cuboid with two prominent leads coming from them in an x-ray. Here is one in a really good x-ray:


If it was a bad x-ray it would be even more solid looking.

I don't see it here...

a reply to: CriticalStinker

Word on the street is it was stuffed with a Sulfur substance. Now whether or not it contained something else or he made a mess of creating his own explosive I don't know.